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basil

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum

Family: Lamiaceae

Basil, Thai basil or sweet basil.

Its origin is from India and Iran but nowdays basil is cultivated in many parts of the world. The word basil come from the Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning the "king", as it has come to be associated with the Feast of the Cross commemorating the finding of the True Cross by St. Helen, mother of the emperor St. Constantine. Another embodiment of its name claims that basil was brought to Greece by the king Alexander the Great when he returned from his expedition to India, so it was characterised as the royal plant.

Plant Description

Ocimum basilicum is traditionally a green plant which grows between 30 – 130 centimeters (12–51 in) tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves.The flowers are small, white in color and arranged in a terminal spike.

Constituents

Volatile oil which consists principally of linalool and methyl chavicol, along with small quantities of methyl cinnamate, cineole, and other terpenes.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS & USES IN OUR DAYS

Its uses include:

Nervous system: Anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, migraine, dizziness, nausea.

Skin: Soothes insect bites. It is also a natural repellent.

Respiratory system: Bronchitis, cold, dry cough, sinusitis, otitis. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antispasmodic properties.

Reproductive System: In dysmenorrhea, prostate decongestant.

Circulatory and joints: Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, cramps, muscle pain, tendinitis.

Digestive system : Dyspepsia, nausea, aerophagia, digestive spasms, hiccups, hepatic congestion (jaundice), gastritis, colitis, constipation.

Defense System: Flu, colds, infectious diseases.

Beneficial for hypotensive since it raises blood pressure. Cardiotonic against arrhythmia and tachycardia.